Magnus Carlsen takes maximalist approach to claim London Classic title

3284: V Anand v H Nakamura, London Classic. Queen against rook and three pawns was a draw after the US No1 (Black, to play) missed a winning move here. Can you do better? Photograph: Graphic

A revealing moment in Magnus Carlsen's record-breaking performance at the London Classic came in Monday's final round. The 22-year-old's Russian rival Vlad Kramnik gave up the chase early with a quick draw, conceding the €50,000 first prize to the Norwegian. Yet Carlsen still tried to win for another two hours against the world champion Vishy Anand before halving out.

This maximalist approach echoed past legends such as Alexander Alekhine who, with a record margin secure at San Remo 1930, ground out a final round win; or Bobby Fischer, who went for clean 6-0 sweeps in his 1971 candidate matches.

Carlsen's rating is now 2861, more than 50 points clear of his nearest rivals and consigning Garry Kasparov's 2851 mark to the history books. His next target will be to seize the world crown from Anand by winning the eight-player candidates tournament in London in March then beating the Indian in the title series. It won't be a pushover as Anand, despite his current poor form, is still a feared match specialist.

Kramnik captured the world No2 spot, and at age 37 he has revitalised his playing style which used to be dull and technical but is now rich in creative tactics. Giving up rook for bishop or knight was a Soviet speciality which Kramnik used in a zestful king hunt against Luke McShane then in a subtle endgame against Gawain Jones. The Muscovite was world champion from 2000 to 2007, and remains ambitious to regain his crown.

Michael Adams, the England No1, was the other big winner at the Classic. Adams tied for third, beat the reigning world champion, and lost only to Carlsen. It could have been a truly sensational result but that Adams, at age 41, visibly tired in the fifth hour during which he missed two simple wins and let the draw slip against Carlsen. If he had taken all those chances he could have won the tournament.

It was the fourth Classic at London's Kensington Olympia, and the most successful yet with inspired fighting chess, capacity audiences at the venue and tens of thousands watching the games free and live online. The problem now will be how to maintain this momentum in 2013.

Below, Luke McShane went wrong with 17...Rc8? when Nxa1! 18 Qa4+ is level. As played, Kramnik's knights dominated after 20 Rxc4! while the final attack launched by 31 Rxd4! chased the black king from h6 to a7. Near the end 47 Qb6+! Ka8 48 Bd5+ is a faster win.